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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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31201.00 – Chiropractors

Chiropractors assess, diagnose, treat and prevent patients' neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spine, nervous system, pelvis and other body joints using corrective manipulation including spinal column adjustments or other complementary therapies.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Chiropractor

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to determine the most appropriate adjustments or articular manipulations and complementary treatments for health disorders based on patient examinations or consultations with health care professionals
  • Oral Communication: Active Listening to conduct patient interviews and take medical histories to gain a better understanding of the condition and patient goals
  • Problem Identification and Inductive Reasoning to analyze case histories, observe and examine patients and perform x-rays or other tests to diagnose the most likely neuromuscular-skeletal conditions
  • Verbal Ability to advise patients on additional treatments that have positive effects on the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system, such as corrective exercises, posture, nutritional and lifestyle counselling
  • Independence to mentor patients by advising on corrective exercises, posture, lifestyle and nutrition
  • Knowledge in Physical Health to understand the theories and practices of chiropractic health to treat conditions through the manipulation of the neuromuscular-skeletal system, nervous system, pelvis and other body joints

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct patient interviews and take medical histories
  • Conduct an examination including postural assessment, range of motion tests, neurological and orthopedic examination, and palpation of joints and soft tissues
  • Prescribe and/or perform X-rays and other imaging and tests as required to diagnose patient's condition
  • Diagnose neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spinal column, pelvis, extremities and associated tissues
  • Define and implement a treatment plan including spinal and joint adjustment or manipulations, soft tissue work and/or the use of complementary therapies such as electrotherapy, acupuncture, heat therapy and massage
  • Communicate and collaborate with other health care professionals
  • Advise patients on alternate treatment modalities such as corrective exercises, posture, nutritional and lifestyle counselling, that have positive effects on the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system
  • Refer patients to other health care professionals when appropriate.

Additional information

  • The scope of practice of chiropractors varies by province.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

31 – Professional occupations in health

Sub-major group

312 – Therapy and assessment professionals

Minor group

3120 – Therapy and assessment professionals

Unit group

31201 – Chiropractors

Occupational profile

31201.00 – Chiropractors

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.